Ike Davis’ debut had the fans talking, but it was another homegrown youngster who had the Cubs flailing.
Jon Niese smothered Chicago and pitched the Mets to a 6-1 win, showing a fast-growing repertoire and ability to come up big in the biggest spots.
The 23-year-old lefty was gone by the time the Mets blew the game open with a five-run seventh inning. But he pitched 5 2/3 innings that were more determined than dominant, allowing just a single unearned run. He allowed eight hits and three walks, but he tied a career-high with seven strikeouts and held the Cubs to 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
“I just tried to battle, keep the ball down and get a ground ball. Luckily I got them to swing and miss,” said Niese, who got out of jams in the fourth and fifth.
With two on in the fourth he caught Geovany Soto and Ryan Theriot looking, and with the bases loaded the next inning, he fanned Xavier Nady and got Aramis Ramirez to ground out.
“He seemed confident being in those spots,” manager Jerry Manuel said. “He didn’t seem rattled. That’s a sign of maturation.”
Perhaps it’s because he has more weaponry. He got seven outs on his fastball, eight with a new-found cutter, just two on his changeup and not a single out on what had been regarded as his bread-and-butter out-pitch, his curve.
“I’m trying to mix in all my pitches. [Catcher] Rod [Barajas] had a good plan and we stuck with it, and it worked out. I’m just trying to throw strikes, keep the team in the game. Wins and losses will come,” said Niese, who shaved his ERA from 6.55 to 4.32.
